⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Rated PG | 2 hours, 40 minutes

Let me start out by letting you know, I’m a bad gay. Prior to seeing WICKED: PART 1, my only exposure to the musical had been countless half-drunken views of “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway show during visits to Monday night’s Showtunes at JR’s Bar in Washington, DC. I have never seen the Broadway show, but I’m certainly aware of Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel’s groundbreaking roles in it.

For those in my shoes (which admittedly, probably isn’t many), WICKED takes place in the Land of Oz, enhancing the canon story set by the WIZARD OF OZ story we all know so very well. It starts with an epic sweep across the landscape showing Dorothy and her posse skipping down the iconic Yellow Brick Road. We first meet Galinda (Ariana Grande) as she descends into a celebratory Munchkinland over the demise of the Wicked Witch of the East (if you recall, Dorothy’s Kansas house lands on her after the tornado). Ariana’s Galinda is deliciously sarcastic and bothered by everything that isn’t set her way. The villagers of Munchkinland gather around her as she speaks, announcing the death of the witch – but is momentarily halted by a curious crowd-goer asking if she knew the witch. She has, and this is where our story begins.

We flashback to a time prior to Dorothy’s arrival, a whirlwind of backstory culminating in the the birth of Elphaba, as the daughter of the Governor of Munchkinland who is born very green and obviously not the biological daughter of the father, which is hinted at in a scene just prior. We learn that Elphaba has largely been outcast in her own family, left to the animals to care for. These aren’t just any animals… they are fully anthropomorphic, talking and speaking and living among the people. We also learn that Elphaba is incredibly protective of her little (not green) sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who is wheel-chair bound. Some bullies make fun at their expense, and Elphaba’s powers reveal themselves to the audience for the first time.

The film doesn’t dwell in this world for too long before jumping in time to their arrival and enrollment at Shiz University, the school which leads Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) to befriend sometimes-mean-girl Galinda. From the first moment at Shiz, Elphaba is still an outcast, as the only student to be green, an incredibly effective allegory for anyone who’s skin is a different color as they try to assimilate into peer-driven social situations. Her father still refuses to treat her with respect, of which Nessarose is all-too-aware, while at the same time demanding Elphaba keep watch over her sister. This leads to Elphaba eventually joining the student body, which is not something she expected, until pushed to by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), the headmistress of Shiz University.

It’s easy at this point to draw comparisons to the Harry Potter story of an outcast becoming the most important magical being in the world, but WICKED treats the magic and situations as far more fanciful, unrooted in any sort of real-world reality. It’s done in such a way that we really can let ourselves escape into this fantasy world and just hang on for the ride.

Without delving into too much detail, Madame Morrible takes Elphaba under her wing much to the chagrin of always-gets-what-she-wants Galinda. As Morrible works to help Elphaba understand her emotions and therefore become able to control her powers, Galinda and Elphaba are assigned as unlikely roommates. Where Elphaba is reserved yet powerfully strong in her resolve to simply survive life, Galinda is flighty yet driven to become the most “good” witch she can become. These yin vs yang interactions are responsible for the most enjoyable moments in the film. No one can hair-flip like Ariana (sorry Kristin).

Throughout their time at Shiz, we meet a randy cast of characters that keep the comic relief flowing. Fiyero Tigelaar (Johnathan Bailey) is the stereotypical “popular hot guy” with irresistible swagger that seems to have an eye for both men and women alike, although he probably just prefers himself. The perfectly-effusive Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James round out Galinda’s “mean girl” friends each with their own scene-stealing moments.

The musical numbers leading up to Galinda’s ever-popular “Popular” are simply beyond epic. Particularly, Fiyero’s “Dancing Through Life” that takes place within Shiz University’s rotating library. The dancing and choreography for this scene is nothing short of spectacular, truly redefining the word “spectacle.”

Sweeping pans, the cast in lock-step perfection… it’s everything you could want out of a movie-musical. The filmmakers take full advantage of camera placement to tell a deeper, emotion-driven story… eliminating the distance between the audience and the characters of the stage musical. It makes all the difference in the world as Cynthia Erivo gives us every emotion she has in “I’m Not That Girl”. Her green eyes are captivating and draw the viewer into her very soul.

Cynthia uses this emotional energy in every performance. None more tear-inducing than Elphaba’s Dance at the Ozdust Ballroom. We’ve all been Elphaba in that moment, when everyone is looking and pointing and laughing. Cynthia owns this moment as Elphaba and finally breaks through to Galinda that maybe she’s not that “good” of a person after all. This is the turning point in their relationship.

Eventually, Elphaba is invited to The Emerald City to meet with The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Before she leaves, however, she invites her now-friend Glinda. She’s dropped the “Ga” in protest of an ongoing kind-of animal genocide subplot that’s taking place across Oz. As you see, Elphaba isn’t the only outcast in this story.

Upon arriving in the City, we’re greeted by a performance of ‘One Short Day’ by the cast of “WIZOMANIA”, a musical dedicated to the man himself. At the end of the song, Elphaba and Glinda make their way into the main castle where The Wizard resides. If you’ve seen WIZARD OF OZ, you have a solid expectation of the kind of over-the-top entrance the Wizard will make.

Jeff Goldblum is delightful as The Wizard, bringing his trademark paused delivery of lines and just enough awkwardness to remind us that The Wizard does not really belong in this place, but has been placed upon the highest pedestal by the people of Oz because of a prophecy foretold in “The Grimmerie”, a book of spells written in the ancient lost language of Oz. Turns out, Elphaba can read this book naturally, which quickly draws the focus of the story thus far into the power Elphaba truly holds.

This all leads to the most epic of all musical numbers, the character-defining “Defying Gravity”. Fans of WICKED know that success of this film hinges on this single performance. The filmmakers are all-too aware of this as well… and they do not disappoint. Casting Cynthia Erivo is simply the most magnificent and significant choice that the director (Jon M. Chu) made. Your skin will grow goosebumps. Your goosebumps will grow goosebumps. You will be tempted to belt out the lyrics, but don’t! Don’t miss a single note of Cynthia’s performance. It will never leave your memory. Yes, it’s that good. The visuals that cinema allows for here expand and enhance the song in ways only imagined. There’s an exemplary effect where Elphaba meets her younger self in a reflection, and it adds so much to the moment that people were openly weeping in the screening.

If you know the stage musical, you know “Defying Gravity” as the musical number that sends the audience off rushing to the nearest rest-room during its 20 minute intermission. However, for this film, it’s expanded and results in the finale sending us off into a “To Be Continued” title screen. The sequel, Part 2, is already set for release on November 21, 2025. I suspect this film will drive ticket sales of the musical to new heights on Broadway and across the country for the touring company as film-goers are unable to resist the wait to see how it ends. However, if the whole of the film tells us anything, Part 2 is set to be even more magical and spellbinding than the first, giving us more than the stage ever could.

A few things to note: there are a couple differences specific to the film from the stage musical, not the least of which is an expanded role for the character Boq (Ethan Slater). Galinda is firmly placed as coming from the South, and some of the song placements are altered and/or expanded. From speaking with WICKED fans that have seen the film, these are all welcome and exciting enhancements.

WICKED is, simply-put: Oz-some! And, if you’re looking to explore even more, there are special WICKED-themed Experiences open now at Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida complete with specialty drinks, merchandise, and pop-up meet & greets with Elphaba and Glinda.

PHOTOS: Courtesy Universal Pictures